Compositions useful as inhibitors of protein kinases

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compounds of formula I:  
                 
 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, wherein A, B, Q, R 1 , and R 2  are as described in the specification. These compounds are inhibitors of protein kinase, particularly inhibitors of AKT or PDK1 kinase, mammalian protein kinases involved in proliferative and neurodegenerative disorders. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, processes for preparing the compounds, and methods of utilizing those compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/505,236, filed Sep. 23, 2004, the entiredisclosure of that application being incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors ofprotein kinases. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptablecompositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods ofusing the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The search for new therapeutic agents has been greatly aided in recentyears by better understanding of the structure of enzymes and otherbiomolecules associated with target diseases. One important class ofenzymes that has been the subject of extensive study is the proteinkinases.

Protein kinases mediate intracellular signal transduction. They do thisby effecting a phosphoryl transfer from a nucleoside triphosphate to aprotein acceptor that is involved in a signaling pathway. There are anumber of kinases and pathways through which extracellular and otherstimuli cause a variety of cellular responses to occur inside the cell.Examples of such stimuli include environmental and chemical stresssignals (e.g. osmotic shock, heat shock, ultraviolet radiation,bacterial endotoxin, H₂O₂), cytokines (e.g. interleukin-1 (IL-1) andtumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)), and growth factors (e.g. granulocytemacrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and fibroblast growthfactor (FGF). An extracellular stimulus may effect one or more cellularresponses related to cell growth, migration, differentiation, secretionof hormones, activation of transcription factors, muscle contraction,glucose metabolism, control of protein synthesis and regulation of cellcycle.

Many diseases are associated with abnormal cellular responses triggeredby protein kinase-mediated events. These diseases include autoimmunediseases, inflammatory diseases, neurological and neurodegenerativediseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, allergies and asthma,Alzheimer's disease or hormone-related diseases. Accordingly, there hasbeen a substantial effort in medicinal chemistry to find protein kinaseinhibitors that are effective as therapeutic agents. A challenge hasbeen to find protein kinase inhibitors that act in a selective manner.Since there are numerable protein kinases that are involved in a varietyof cellular responses, non-selective inhibitors may lead to unwantedside effects.

AKT (also known as PKB or Rac-PK beta), a serine/threonine proteinkinase, has been shown to be overexpressed in several types of cancerand is a mediator of normal cell functions [(Khwaja, A., Nature, 401,pp. 33-34, 1999); (Yuan, Z. Q., et al., Oncogene, 19, pp. 2324-2330,2000); (Namikawa, K., et al., J. Neurosci., 20, pp. 2875-2886, 2000)].AKT comprises an N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, a kinasedomain and a C-terminal “tail” region. Three isoforms of human AKTkinase (AKT-1, -2 and -3) have been reported so far [(Cheng, J. Q.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89, pp. 9267-9271, 1992); (Brodbeck, D. etal., J. Biol. Chem. 274, pp. 9133-9136, 1999)]. The PH domain binds3-phosphoinositides, which are synthesized by phosphatidyl inositol3-kinase (PI3K) upon stimulation by growth factors such as plateletderived growth factor (PDGF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and insulin-likegrowth factor (IGF-1) [(Kulik et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 17, pp.1595-1606, 1997); (Hemmings, B. A., Science, 275, pp. 628-630, 1997)].Lipid binding to the PH domain promotes translocation of AKT to theplasma membrane and facilitates phosphorylation by anotherPH-domain-containing protein kinases, PDK1 at Thr308, Thr309, and Thr305for the AKT isoforms 1, 2 and 3, respectively. A second, as of yetunknown, kinase is required for the phosphorylation of Ser473, Ser474 orSer472 in the C-terminal tails of AKT-1, -2 and -3 respectively, inorder to yield a fully activated AKT enzyme.

Once localized to the membrane, AKT mediates several functions withinthe cell including the metabolic effects of insulin (Calera, M. R. etal., J. Biol. Chem., 273, pp. 7201-7204, 1998), induction ofdifferentiation and/or proliferation, protein synthesisans stressresponses (Alessi, D. R. et al., Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev., 8, pp. 55-62,1998).

Manifestations of altered AKT regulation appear in both injury anddisease, the most important role being in cancer. The first account ofAKT was in association with human ovarian carcinomas where expression ofAKT was found to be amplified in 15% of cases (Cheng, J. Q. et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 89, pp. 9267-9271, 1992). It has alsobeen found to be overexpressed in 12% of pancreatic cancers (Cheng, J.Q. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 93, pp. 3636-3641, 1996). Itwas demonstrated that AKT-2 was over-expressed in 12% of ovariancarcinomas and that amplification of AKT was especially frequent in 50%of undifferentiated tumours, showing that AKTis also associated withtumour aggressiveness (Bellacosa, et al., Int. J. Cancer, 64, pp.280-285, 1995):

The 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) plays a keyrole in regulating the activity of a number of kinases belonging to theAGC subfamily of protein kinases (Alessi, D. et al., Biochem. Soc.Trans, 29, pp. 1, 2001). These include isoforms of protein kinase B(PKB, also known as AKT), p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) (Avruch, J. etal., prog. Mol. Subcell. Biol., 2001, 26, pp. 115, 2001), and p90ribosomal S6 kinase (Frödin, M. et al., EMBO J., 19, pp. 2924-2934,2000). PDK1 mediated signaling is activated in response to insulin andgrowth factors and as a consequence of attachment of the cell to theextracellular matrix (integrin signaling). Once activated these enzymesmediate many diverse cellular events by phosphorylating key regulatoryproteins that play important roles controlling processes such as cellsurvival, growth, proliferation and glucose regulation [(Lawlor, M. A.et al., J. Cell Sci. , 114, pp. 2903-2910, 2001), (Lawlor, M. A. et al.,EMBO J. , 21, pp. 3728-3738, 2002)]. PDK1 is a 556 amino acid protein,with an N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal pleckstrin homology(PH) domain, which activates its substrates by phosphorylating thesekinases at their activation loop (Belham, C. et al., Curr. Biol. , 9,pp. R93-R96, 1999). Many human cancers including prostate and NSCL haveelevated PDK1 signaling pathway function resulting from a number ofdistinct genetic events such as PTEN mutations or over-expression ofcertain key regulatory proteins [(Graff, J. R., Expert Opin. Ther.Targets, 6, pp. 103-113, 2002), (Brognard, J., et al., Cancer Res., 61,pp. 3986-3997, 2001)]. Inhibition of PDK1 as a mechanism to treat cancerwas demonstrated by transfection of a PTEN negative human cancer cellline (U87MG) with antisense oligonucleotides directed against PDK1. Theresulting decrease in PDK1 protein levels led to a reduction in cellularproliferation and survival (Flynn, P., et al., Curr. Biol., 10, pp.1439-1442, 2000). Consequently the design of ATP binding site inhibitorsof PDK1 offers, amongst other treatments, an attractive target forcancer chemotherapy.

The diverse range of cancer cell genotypes has been attributed to themanifestation of the following six essential alterations in cellphysiology: self-sufficiency in growth signaling, evasion of apoptosis,insensitivity to growth-inhibitory signaling, limitless replicativepotential, sustained angiogenesis, and tissue invasion leading tometastasis (Hanahan, D. et al., Cell, 100, pp. 57-70, 2000). PDK1 is acritical mediator of the PI3K signalling pathway, which regulates amultitude of cellular function including growth, proliferation andsurvival. Consequently inhibition of this pathway could affect four ormore of the six defining requirements for cancer progression, as such itis anticipated that a PDK1 inhibitor will have an effect on the growthof a very wide range of human cancers.

Specifically, increased levels of PI3K pathway activity has beendirectly associated with the development of a number of human caners,progression to an aggressive refractory state (acquired resistance tochemotherapies) and poor prognosis. This increased activity has beenattributed to a series of key events including decreased activity ofnegative pathway regulators such as the phosphatase PTEN, activatingmutations of positive pathway regulators such as Ras, and overexpressionof components of the pathway itself such as PKB, examples include: brain(gliomas), breast, colon, head and neck, kidney, lung, liver, melanoma,ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, sarcoma, thyroid [(Teng, D. H. et al.,Cancer Res., 57, pp. 5221-5225, 1997), (Brognard, J. et al., CancerRes., 61, pp. 3986-3997, 2001), (Cheng, J. Q. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. , 93, pp. 3636-3641, 1996), Int. J. Cancer, 64, pp. 280, 1995),(Graff, J. R., Expert Opin. Ther. Targets, 6, pp. 103-113, 2002), Am. J.Pathol., 159, pp. 431, 2001)].

Additionally, decreased pathway function through gene knockout, geneknockdown, dominant negative studies and small molecule inhibitors ofthe pathway have been demonstrated to reverse many of the cancerphenotypes in vitro (some studies have also demonstrated a similareffect in vivo) such as block proliferation, reduce viability andsensitize cancer cells to known chemotherapies in a series of celllines, representing the following cancers: pancreatic [(Cheng, J. Q. etal., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 93, pp. 3636-3641, 1996), Neoplasia, 3, pp.278, 2001)], lung [(Brognard, J. et al., Cancer Res., 61, pp. 3986-3997,2001), Neoplasia, 3, pp. 278, 2001)], ovarian [(Hayakawa, J. et al.,Cancer Res., 60, pp. 5988-5994, 2000), Neoplasia, 3, pp. 278, 2001)],breast (Mol. Cancer Ther., 1, pp. 707, 2002), colon [(Neoplasia, 3, pp.278, 2001), (Arico, S. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 277, pp. 27613-27621,2002)], cervical (Neoplasia, 3, pp. 278, 2001), prostate[(Endocrinology, 142, pp. 4795, 2001), (Thakkar, H. et al. J. Biol.Chem., 276, pp. 38361-38369, 2001), (Chen, X. et al., Oncogene, 20, pp.6073-6083, 2001)] and brain (glioblastomas) [(Flynn, P. et al., Curr.Biol., 10, pp. 1439-1442, 2000)].

Accordingly, there is a great need to develop inhibitors of AKT and PDK1protein kinases that are useful in treating various diseases orconditions associated with AKT and PDK1 activation, particularly giventhe inadequate treatments currently available for the majority of thesedisorders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides compounds having the formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A, B, Q, R¹, andR² are as defined below.

These compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof,are useful for treating or lessening the severity of a variety ofdisorders, including proliferative disorders and neurological disorders.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   -   A is —CH₂— or —CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein:        -   R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen, an optionally            substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, or R^(a) and            R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated or            partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms            independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur;    -   B is A is —CH₂— or —CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein:        -   R^(c) and R^(d) are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic,            or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are taken together to form a            cyclopropyl ring;    -   R¹ is T-Ar;    -   each T is independently selected from a valence bond or a C₁₋₆        wherein up to two methylene units of T are optionally, and        independently, replaced by —O—, —N(R)—, —S—, —N(R)C(O)—,        —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—;    -   each R is independently selected from hydrogen or an optionally        substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or:        -   two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken together with the            nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered            saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having            1-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,            oxygen, or sulfur;    -   Q is a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up to        two methylene units of Q are optionally, and independently,        replaced by —O—, —N(R)—, —S—, —N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or        —SO₂—;    -   R² is selected from Ar, R³, or C(R)(Ar)R³, wherein:        -   R and R³ optionally form a 5-7 membered saturated or            partially unsaturated ring having 0-4 heteroatoms            independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each Ar is independently an optionally substituted ring selected        from a 5-7 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully        unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently        selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-10 membered        saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic        ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from        nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each R³ is independently selected from R′, Ar¹, W—OR⁵,        W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵, W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂, N(R)(W—Ar),        N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, or N(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein:        -   each W is independently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene            chain;    -   R′ is an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group;    -   each Ar¹ is independently selected from an optionally        substituted 5-7 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or        fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms        independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each R⁴ is independently selected from R, COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R5)₂,        SO₂R⁵, SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹; and    -   each R⁵ is independently selected from R or Ar;    -   provided that:    -   when one of A or B is —CH₂— and the other of A or B is —CH₂CH₂—,        R¹ is T-Ar, T is a valence bond, Ar is a 5-7 membered saturated,        partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring        having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,        oxygen, or sulfur, and Q is a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain wherein the        methylene unit attached to the nitrogen atom is repaced by C(O),        then R² is other than optionally substituted phenyl; and    -   when T is —NH—, —NHC(O)—, or —NHC(O)N(R)—, then R² is        W—C(R)(W—Ar)R³.

As used herein, the following definitions shall apply unless otherwiseindicated. The phrase “optionally substituted” is used interchangeablywith the phrase “substituted or unsubstituted.” Unless otherwiseindicated, an optionally substituted group may have a substituent ateach substitutable position of the group, and each substitution isindependent of the other.

The term “aliphatic” or “aliphatic group” as used herein means astraight-chain or branched C₁-C₁₂ hydrocarbon chain that is completelysaturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation, or amonocyclic C₃-C₈ hydrocarbon or bicyclic C₈-C₁₂ hydrocarbon that iscompletely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation,but which is not aromatic (also referred to herein as “carbocycle” or“cycloalkyl”), that has a single point of attachment to the rest of themolecule wherein any individual ring in said bicyclic ring system has3-7 members. For example, suitable aliphatic groups include, but are notlimited to, linear or branched or alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl groups andhybrids thereof such as (cycloalkyl)alkyl, (cycloalkenyl)alkyl or(cycloalkyl)alkenyl.

The terms “alkyl”, “alkoxy”, “hydroxyalkyl”, “alkoxyalkyl”, and“alkoxycarbonyl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety includes bothstraight and branched chains containing one to twelve carbon atoms. Theterms “alkenyl” and “alkynyl” used alone or as part of a larger moietyshall include both straight and branched chains containing two to twelvecarbon atoms.

The terms “haloalkyl”, “haloalkenyl” and “haloalkoxy” means alkyl,alkenyl or alkoxy, as the case may be, substituted with one or morehalogen atoms. The term “halogen” means F, Cl, Br, or I.

The term “heteroatom” means nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur and includes anyoxidized form of nitrogen and sulfur, and the quaternized form of anybasic nitrogen. Also the term “nitrogen” includes a substitutablenitrogen of a heterocyclic ring. As an example, in a saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-4 heteroatoms selected from oxygen,sulfur or nitrogen, the nitrogen may be N (as in3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrolyl), NH (as in pyrrolidinyl) or NR⁺ (as inN-substituted pyrrolidinyl).

The term “aryl” used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in“aralkyl”, “aralkoxy”, or “aryloxyalkyl”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclicand tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ringmembers, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic and whereineach ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members. The term “aryl”may be used interchangeably with the term “aryl ring”.

The term “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, or “heterocyclic” as used hereinmeans non-aromatic, monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic ring systemshaving five to fourteen ring members in which one or more ring membersis a heteroatom, wherein each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ringmembers.

The term “heteroaryl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in“heteroaralkyl” or “heteroarylalkoxy”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclicand tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ringmembers, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic, at leastone ring in the system contains one or more heteroatoms, and whereineach ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members. The term“heteroaryl” may be used interchangeably with the term “heteroaryl ring”or the term “heteroaromatic”.

An aryl (including aralkyl, aralkoxy, aryloxyalkyl and the like) orheteroaryl (including heteroaralkyl and heteroarylalkoxy and the like)group may contain one or more substituents. Suitable substituents on theunsaturated carbon atom of an aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, orheteroaralkyl group are selected from halogen, oxo, N₃, —R°, —OR°, —SR°,1,2-methylene-dioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy, protected OH (such as acyloxy),phenyl (Ph), Ph substituted with R°, —O(Ph), O—(Ph) substituted with R°,—CH₂(Ph), —CH₂(Ph) substituted with R°, —CH₂CH₂(Ph), —CH₂CH₂(Ph)substituted with R°, —NO₂, —CN, —N(R°)₂, —NR°C(O)R°, —NR°C(O)N(R°)₂,—NR°CO₂R°, —NR°NR°C(O)R°, —NR°NR°C(O)N(R°)₂, —NR°NR°CO₂R°, —C(O)C(O)R°,—C(O)CH₂C(O)R°, —CO₂R°, —C(O)R°, —C(O)N(R°)₂, —OC(O)N(R°)₂, —S(O)₂R°,—SO₂N(R°)₂, —S(O)R°, —NR°SO₂N(R°)₂, —NR°SO₂R°, —C(═S)N(R°)₂,—C(═NH)—N(R°)₂, or —(CH₂)_(y)NHC(O)R°, wherein y is 0-4, each R° isindependently selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic, an unsubstituted 5-6 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclic ringhaving 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, orsulfur, phenyl (Ph), —O(Ph), or —CH₂(Ph)—CH₂(Ph). Substituents on thealiphatic group of R° are selected from NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), N(C₁₋₄aliphatic)₂, halogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic, OH, O—(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), NO₂, CN,CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), —O(halo C₁₋₄ aliphatic), or halo C₁₋₄aliphatic.

An aliphatic group or a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring may contain oneor more substituents. Suitable substituents on the saturated carbon ofan aliphatic group or of a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring are selectedfrom those listed above for the unsaturated carbon of an aryl orheteroaryl group and the following: ═O, ═S, ═NNHR*, ═NN(R*)₂, ═N—,═NNHC(O)R*, ═NNHCO₂(alkyl), ═NNHSO₂(alkyl), or ═NR*, where each R* isindependently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic. Substituents on the aliphatic group of R* are selected fromNH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), N(C₁₋₄ aliphatic)₂, halogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic,OH, O—(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), NO₂, CN, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), —O(halo C₁₋₄aliphatic), or halo C₁₋₄ aliphatic.

Substituents on the nitrogen of a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring areselected from —R⁺, —N(R⁺)₂, —C(O)R⁺, —CO₂R⁺, —C(O)C(O)R⁺,—C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁺, —SO₂R⁺, —SO₂N(R⁺)₂, —C(═S)N(R⁺)₂, —C(═NH)—N(R⁺)₂, or—NR⁺SO₂R⁺; wherein R⁺ is hydrogen, an optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic, optionally substituted phenyl (Ph), optionally substituted—O(Ph), optionally substituted —CH₂(Ph), optionally substituted—CH₂CH₂(Ph), or an unsubstituted 5-6 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclicring. Substituents on the aliphatic group or the phenyl ring of R⁺ areselected from NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), N(C₁₋₄ aliphatic)₂, halogen, C₁₋₄aliphatic, OH, O—(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), NO₂, CN, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄ aliphatic),—O(halo C₁₋₄ aliphatic), or halo C₁₋₄ aliphatic.

The term “alkylidene chain” refers to a straight or branched carbonchain that may be fully saturated or have one or more units ofunsaturation and has two points of connection to the rest of themolecule. That is, alkylidene refers to an aliphatic group (alkyl,alkenyl, or alkynyl) that has two points of connection to the rest ofthe molecule.

The compounds of this invention are limited to those that are chemicallyfeasible and stable. Therefore, a combination of substituents orvariables in the compounds described above is permissible only if such acombination results in a stable or chemically feasible compound. Astable compound or chemically feasible compound is one in which thechemical structure is not substantially altered when kept at atemperature of 40° C. or less, in the absence of moisture or otherchemically reactive conditions, for at least a week.

Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant toinclude all stereochemical forms of the structure; i.e., the R and Sconfigurations for each asymmetric center. Therefore, singlestereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric and diastereomericmixtures of the present compounds are within the scope of the invention.Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant toinclude compounds which differ only in the presence of one or moreisotopically enriched atoms. For example, compounds having the presentstructures except for the replacement of a hydrogen by a deuterium ortritium, or the replacement of a carbon by a ¹³C- or ¹⁴C-enriched carbonare within the scope of this invention.

Compounds of this invention may exist in alternative tautomeric forms.Unless otherwise indicated, the representation of either tautomer ismeant to include the other.

A preferred embodiment of this invention provides a compound wherein R²is —C(R)(Ar)R³.

In another preferred embodiment, R² is —C(R)(WAr)R₃ (where R ispreferably, H).

In other preferred embodiments, R² is as depicted in compounds I-6, I-7,I-12, or I-101-I-197.

This invention also provides compounds wherein the T moiety is T′,wherein T′ is —N(R)—, —N(R)C(O)—, —N(R)C(O)NH—, —N(R)CH₂—, or —N(R)SO₂—;

According to one embodiment, the T moiety of the R¹ group of formula Iis selected from a valence bond, or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain wherein upto two methylene units of T are optionally, and independently, replacedby —O—, —S—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—. Examples of such groupsinclude —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —CH₂(CH₃)—, —SC(O)—, —CH₂C(O)—,—C(O)NH—, —OC(O)NH—, —O—, and —S—.

According to another embodiment, the T moiety of the R¹ group of formulaI is selected from a valence bond, or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain wherein upto one methylene unit of T is optionally replaced by —N(R)—, —N(R)C(O)—,—N(R)C(O)N(R)—, —N(R)SO₂—, or —N(R)SO₂N(R)—. Examples of such groupsinclude —NH—, —NHCH₂—, —NHC(O)—, —NHC(O)NH—, —NHC(O)CH₂—, andNHC(O)CH₂CH₂—. Further examples of such groups include —N(CH₃)—,—N(CH₃)CH₂—, —N(CH₃)C(O)—, and —N(CH₃)SO₂—.

Preferred T moieties of the T-Ar group of R¹ are selected from a valencebond, —N(R)C(O)—, —NH—, —NHCH₂—, —NHSO₂—, —CH₂NH—, —SC(O)—, —CH₂C(O)—,—C≡C—, —CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂—. More preferred T moieties of the T-Ar group ofR¹ are selected from —NHC(O)—, —NH—, —NHCH₂—, —CH₂—, —C≡C—, or —CH₂CH₂—.Most preferred T moieties of the T-Ar group of R¹ are selected from—N(R)C(O)—, —NH—, or —NHCH₂—. In one embodiment, R¹ is -T-Ar, wherein Tis —N(R)C(O)— and Ar is thienyl.

The when the Ar moiety of the R₁ group of formula I is an optionallysubstituted phenyl ring, preferred optional substituents, when present,are optionally substituted R°, phenyl, halogen, nitro, CN, OR°, SR°,N(R+)₂, SO₂R°, C(O)R°, C(O)OR, and C(O)N(R°)₂, wherein each R° is asdefined supra. Examples of such groups include chloro, bromo, fluoro,CN, nitro, OMe, OPh, OCF₃, OCH₂Ph, OEt, SCHF₂, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl,propyl, vinyl, CF₃, acetylenyl, CH₂Ph, CH₂NH₂, CH₂N(Et)₂,CH₂morpholin-4-yl, CH₂piperdin-1-yl, CH₂imidazol-1-yl,CH₂piperazin-1-yl, C(O)NH₂, C(O)Me, SO₂Me, NHEt, and NHMe.

Preferred Ar moieties of the R¹ group of formula I are selected from anoptionally substituted 5-6 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, orfully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independentlyselected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Examples of such Ar ringsinclude optionally substituted phenyl, thienyl, furan, pyrimidinyl, andpyridyl rings. Preferred substituents on the Ar group, when present,include fluoro, CF₃, Me, Et, iPr, vinyl, acetylene, R°, Cl, nitro, CN,OMe, OPh, OCF₃, SO₂NH2, C(O)OEt, C(O)OH, CH₂CO₂H, CH₂CH₂CO₂H, CH₂NH₂ andC(O)NH₂, pyrrolidinyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, and tetrazolyl.

Preferred W groups of formula I are selected from a valence bond, —CH₂—,or —CH₂CH₂—.

When the R² group of formula I is Ar, preferred Ar groups are anoptionally substituted ring selected from a 5-6 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, ora 9-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedbicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Examples of such monocyclic rings includephenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridonyl, furanyl, tetrazolyl, thienyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl. Examples of such bicyclicrings include benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, indan-1-onyl, naphthyl,benzothiophenyl, 2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindolyl, indanyl, benzofuranyl, andindolyl.

When present, preferred substituents on the Ar ring of the R² group offormula I include R°, halogen, oxo, OR°, phenyl, optionally substituteddialkylamino, haloalkyl, C(O)R°, NHC(O)R, or SR°. Examples of suchpreferred substituents include chloro, bromo, fluoro, OH, OMe,NHC(O)CH₃, OEt, C(O)phenyl, Ophenyl, N(CH₂CH₂Cl)₂, N(Me)₂, CF₃, andSCF₃. Other examples of preferred Ar groups of formula I also includethose shown in Table 1 below.

When the R² group of formula I is W—C(R)(W—Ar)R³, preferred R³ groupsinclude R′, W—OR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂, Ar¹, N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, and N(R)W—N(R⁴)₂.Examples of such R³ groups include CH₂OH, OH, NH₂, CH₂NH₂, CH₂NHMe,CH₂N(Me)₂, CH₂CH₂NH₂, CH₂CH₂NHMe, CH₂CH₂N(Me)₂, CH₂C(Me)₂NH₂,CH₂C(Me)₂CHMe, NHCO₂t-butyl, phenyl, cyclopentyl, methyl, ethyl,isopropyl, cyclopropyl, NH(CH₂)₃NH₂, NH(CH₂)₂NH₂, NH(CH₂)₂NHEt,NHCH₂pyridyl, NHSO₂phenyl, NHC(O)CH₂C(O)Ot-butyl, NHC(O)CH₂NH₃,NHCH₂-imidazol4-yl, and also CH₂CH₂OH.

More preferably, the R³ group of formula I is selected from OH, NH₂,CH₂NH₂, CH₂NHMe, CH₂N(Me)₂, CH₂CH₂NH₂, CH₂CH₂NHMe, CH₂CH₂N(Me)₂,CH₂C(Me)₂NH₂, CH₂C(Me)₂CHMe, NHCO₂t-butyl, phenyl, NH(CH₂)₃NH₂,NH(CH₂)₂NH₂, NH(CH₂)₂NHEt, NHCH₂pyridyl, NHSO₂phenyl,NHC(O)CH₂C(O)Ot-butyl, NHC(O)CH₂NH₃, and NHCH₂-imidazol-4-yl. Other morepreferred R³ groups of formula I are CH₂OH and CH₂CH₂OH.

Most preferably, the R³ group of formula I is CH₂CH₂NH₂. Other mostpreferred R³ groups of formula I are CH₂OH, CH₂CH₂OH, and CH₂NH₂.

Preferred rings formed by the R and R³ moieties of the W—C(R)(W—Ar)R³group of R² are selected from a 5-6 membered saturated ring having 0-2heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.Examples of such rings formed by R and R³ include piperidinyl,pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, and thiomorpholinyl.

When the R² group of formula I is W—C(R)(W—Ar)R³, preferred Ar groups ofthe W—C(R)(W—Ar)R³ moiety are selected from an optionally substituted5-6 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedmonocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an optionally substituted 9-10 memberedsaturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ringhaving 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, orsulfur. Examples of such monocyclic rings include phenyl, pyridyl,furanyl, pyridone, and thienyl. Examples of such bicyclic rings includebenzo[1,3]dioxolyl, naphthyl, indanyl, and indolyl. When present,preferred substituents on the Ar ring of the W—C(R)(W—Ar)R³ group of R²include R°, halogen, OR°, phenyl, N(R°)₂, NHC(O)R°, or SR°. Examples ofsuch groups include fluoro, chloro, bromo, CF₃, OH, OMe, OPh, OCH₂Ph,SMe, NH₂, NHC(O)Me, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, and cyclopropyl.

According to another embodiment, R³ is —W—OR⁵. W, in this embodiment, ispreferably a C1, C2, or C3 alkyl group (preferably a C1 or C2 alkyl).R⁵, in these embodiments, is preferably H thus forming a hydroxy group(or an appropriate derivative thereof).

According to yet another embodiment, R³ is —W—N(R⁴)₂. W, in thisembodiment, is preferably a C1, C2, or C3 alkyl group (preferably a C1alkyl). One or both R⁴ groups, in these embodiments, is preferably Hthus forming a secondary or tertiary amino group (or an appropriatederivative thereof).

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula II:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   -   A is —CH₂— or —CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein:        -   R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen, an optionally            substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, or R^(a) and            R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated or            partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms            independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur;    -   B is A is —CH₂— or —CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein:        -   R^(c) and R^(d) are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic,            or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are taken together to form a            cyclopropyl ring;    -   R¹ is T′-Ar;    -   T′ is —N(R′)—, —N(R′)C(O)—, —N(R′)C(O)NH—, —N(R′)CH₂—, or        —N(R′)SO₂—;    -   each R is independently selected from hydrogen or an optionally        substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or:        -   two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken together with the            nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered            saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having            1-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,            oxygen, or sulfur;    -   Q is a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up to        two methylene units of Q are optionally, and independently,        replaced by —O—, —N(R)—, —S—, —N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or        —SO₂—;    -   R² is selected from Ar, R³, or C(R)(Ar)R³, wherein:        -   R and R³ optionally form a 5-7 membered saturated or            partially unsaturated ring having 0-4 heteroatoms            independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each Ar is independently an optionally substituted ring selected        from a 5-7 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully        unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently        selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-10 membered        saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic        ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from        nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each R³ is independently selected from R′, Ar¹, W—OR⁵,        W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵, W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂, N(R)(W—Ar),        N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, or N(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein:        -   each W is independently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene            chain;    -   R′ is an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group;    -   each Ar¹ is independently selected from an optionally        substituted 5-7 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or        fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms        independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each R⁴ is independently selected from R, COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R⁵)₂,        SO₂R⁵, SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹ ; and    -   each R⁵ is independently selected from R or Ar.

Preferred A, B, Ar, Q, and R² groups of formula II are those describedabove for compounds of formula I. Preferred T′ groups of formula II areselected from —N(R′)—, —N(R′)C(O)—, —N(R′)C(O)NH—, —N(R′)CH₂—, or—N(R′)SO₂— (wherein R′ is R). More preferred T′ groups of formula II areselected from —N(R′)C(O)—, —N(R′)—, —N(R′)CH₂—, —N(R′)SO₂— (wherein R′is R.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula III:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   -   A is —CH₂— or —CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein:        -   R^(a) and R^(b) are independently hydrogen, an optionally            substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, or R^(a) and            R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated or            partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms            independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur;    -   B is A is —CH₂— or —CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein:        -   R^(c) and R^(d) are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic,            or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are taken together to form a            cyclopropyl ring;    -   R¹ is T-Ar;    -   each T is independently selected from a valence bond or a C₁₋₆        alkylidene chain, wherein up to two methylene units of T are        optionally, and independently, replaced by —O—, —N(R)—, —S—,        —N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—;    -   each R is independently selected from hydrogen or an optionally        substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or:        -   two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken together with the            nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered            saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having            1-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen,            oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each Ar is independently an optionally substituted ring selected        from a 5-7 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully        unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently        selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-10 membered        saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic        ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from        nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each R³ is independently selected from R′, Ar¹, W—OR⁵,        W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵, W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂, N(R)(W—Ar),        N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, or N(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein:        -   each W is independently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene            chain;    -   R′ is an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group;    -   each Ar¹ is independently selected from an optionally        substituted 5-7 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or        fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms        independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;    -   each R⁴ is independently selected from R, COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R⁵)₂,        SO₂R⁵, SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹; and    -   each R⁵ is independently selected from R or Ar.

Preferred R¹ groups of formula III include those described above forcompounds of formula I.

Preferred Ar groups of formula III include an optionally substitutedring selected from a 5-6 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, orfully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independentlyselected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or a 9-10 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.Examples of such monocyclic rings include phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl,furanyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl. Examples of suchbicyclic rings include benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, indan-1-onyl, naphthyl,benzothiophenyl, 2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindolyl, indanyl, benzofuranyl, andindolyl. When present, preferred substituents on the Ar group of formulaIII include R°, halogen, OR°, phenyl, optionally substituteddialkylamino, haloalkyl, C(O)R°, or SR°. Examples of such preferredsubstituents include tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, chloro, bromo,fluoro, OH, OMe, OEt, C(O)phenyl, Ophenyl, N(CH₂CH₂Cl)₂, N(Me)₂, CF₃,and SCF₃.

Preferred R³ groups of formula III include R′, Q-OR⁵, Q-N(R⁴)₂, Ar¹,N(R)C(O)Q-N(R⁴)₂, and N(R)Q-N(R⁴)₂. Examples of such R³ groups includeCH₂OH, OH, NH₂, CH₂NH₂, CH₂NHMe, CH₂N(Me)₂, CH₂CH₂NH₂, CH₂CH₂NHMe,CH₂C(Me)₂NH₂, CH₂C(Me)₂CHMe, CH₂CH₂N(Me)₂, CH₂CH₂NH₂, NHCO₂t-butyl,phenyl, cyclopentyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, NH(CH₂)₃NH₂,NH(CH₂)₂NH₂, NH(CH₂)₂NHEt, NHCH₂pyridyl, NHSO₂phenyl,NHC(O)CH₂C(O)Ot-butyl, NHC(O)CH₂NH₃, and NHCH₂-imidazol4-yl. Anotherexamples of such R³ groups include CH₂CH₂OH.

More preferably, the R³ group of formula III is selected from OH, NH₂,CH₂NH₂, CH₂NHMe, CH₂N(Me)₂, CH₂CH₂NH₂, CH₂CH₂NHMe, CH₂CH₂N(Me)₂,CH₂C(Me)₂NH₂, CH₂C(Me)₂CHMe, NHCO₂t-butyl, phenyl, NH(CH₂)₃NH₂,NH(CH₂)₂NH₂, NH(CH₂)₂NHEt, NHCH₂pyridyl, NHSO₂phenyl,NHC(O)CH₂C(O)Ot-butyl, NHC(O)CH₂NH₃, and NHCH₂-imidazol4-yl. Other morepreferred R³ groups of formula III are CH₂OH and CH₂CH₂OH.

Most preferably, the R³ group of formula III is selected from CH₂CH₂NH₂.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula IV:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A, B, R¹, R³, W,and Ar are as defined above for compounds of formula I. Preferred A, B,R¹, R³, W, and Ar groups of formula IV are those set forth above forcompounds of formula I.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula V:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A, B, R¹, R³, W,and Ar are as defined above for compounds of formula I. Preferred A, B,R¹, R³, W, and Ar groups of formula V are those set forth above forcompounds of formula I.

According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a compoundof formula I, wherein A and B are each —CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula II, wherein A and B are each —CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula III, wherein A and B are each —CH₂—.

According to yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula IV, wherein A and B are each —CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula V, wherein A and B are each —CH₂—.

According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a compoundof formula I, wherein A and B are each —CH₂CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula II, wherein A and B are each —CH₂CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula III, wherein A and B are each —CH₂CH₂—.

According to yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula IV, wherein A and B are each —CH₂CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula V, wherein A and B are each —CH₂CH₂—.

According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a compoundof formula I, wherein one of A or B is —CH₂— and the other of A or B is—CH₂CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula II, wherein one of A or B is —CH₂— and the other ofA or B is —CH₂CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula III, wherein one of A or B is —CH₂— and the other ofA or B is —CH₂CH₂—.

According to yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula IV, wherein one of A or B is —CH₂— and the other ofA or B is —CH₂CH₂—.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to acompound of formula V, wherein one of A or B is —CH₂— and the other of Aor B is —CH₂CH₂—.

Representative compounds of formula I are set forth in Table 1 below.TABLE 1

I-1

I-2

I-3

I-4

I-5

I-6

I-7

I-8

I-9

I-10

I-11

I-12

I-13

I-14

I-15

I-16

I-17

I-18

I-19

I-20

I-21

I-22

I-23

I-24

I-25

I-26

I-27

I-28

I-29

I-30

I-31

I-32

I-33

I-34

I-35

I-36

I-37

I-38

I-39

I-40

I-41

I-42

I-101

I-102

I-103

I-104

I-105

I-106

I-107

I-108

I-109

I-110

I-111

I-112

I-113

I-114

I-115

I-116

I-117

I-118

I-119

I-120

I-121

1-122

I-123

I-124

I-125

I-126

I-127

I-128

I-129

I-130

I-131

I-132

I-133

I-134

I-135

I-136

I-137

I-138

I-139

I-140

I-141

I-142

I-143

I-144

I-145

I-146

I-147

I-148

I-149

I-150

I-151

I-152

I-153

I-154

I-155

I-156

I-157

I-158

I-159

I-160

I-161

I-162

I-163

I-164

I-165

I-166

I-167

I-168

I-169

I-170

I-171

I-172

I-173

I-174

I-175

I-176

I-177

I-178

I-179

I-180

I-181

I-182

I-183

I-184

I-185

I-186

I-187

I-188

I-189

I-190

I-191

I-192

I-193

I-194

I-195

I-196

I-197.

The compounds of the present invention may be prepared as illustrated bythe Schemes I, II, and III below, by the Synthetic Examples describedherein, and by general methods known to those of ordinary skill in theart.

Scheme I above shows a method for preparingtetrahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles. Thetetrahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles 2 can be prepared in 5 steps from4-acryloyl-benzoic acid methyl ester 1 by methods substantially similarto that described by Kikuchi, K. et. al., J. Med. Chem., 2000, 43,409-419.

Scheme II above shows an alternative method for preparingtetrahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles. The formation of thetetrahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole 4 is achieved in 4 steps from 3.3-Amino-5,6-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-4-one 3 is synthesized in amanner substantially similar to that described by Gelin, S. et al.,Synth. Commun., 1982, 12 (6), 431-437.

Scheme III above shows a general method for preparingtetrahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles 5.

Accordingly, another embodiment of this invention provides a process forpreparing a compound of this invention according to the methods ofSchemes I, II, or III.

The activity of a compound utilized in this invention as an inhibitor ofAKT or PDK1 kinase may be assayed in vitro, in vivo or in a cell lineaccording to methods known in the art. In vitro assays include assaysthat determine inhibition of either the phosphorylation activity orATPase activity of activated AKT or PDK1. Alternate in vitro assaysquantitate the ability of the inhibitor to bind to AKT or PDK1.Inhibitor binding may be measured by radiolabelling the inhibitor priorto binding, isolating the inhibitor/AKT or inhibitor/PDK1 complex anddetermining the amount of radiolabel bound. Alternatively, inhibitorbinding may be determined by running a competition experiment wherecompounds are incubated with AKT or PDK1 bound to known radioligands.Detailed conditions for assaying a compound utilized in this inventionas an inhibitor of AKT or PDK1 kinase are set forth in the Examplesbelow.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a compositioncomprising a compound of this invention or a pharmaceutically acceptablederivative thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant,or vehicle. The amount of compound in the compositions of this inventionis such that is effective to measurably inhibit a protein kinase,particularly AKT or PDK1 kinase, in a biological sample or in a patient.Preferably the composition of this invention is formulated foradministration to a patient in need of such composition. Mostpreferably, the composition of this invention is formulated for oraladministration to a patient.

The term “patient”, as used herein, means an animal, preferably amammal, and most preferably a human.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle”refers to a non-toxic carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle that does notdestroy the pharmacological activity of the compound with which it isformulated. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants or vehiclesthat may be used in the compositions of this invention include, but arenot limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin,serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such asphosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceridemixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts orelectrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate,potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidalsilica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-basedsubstances, polyethylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers,polyethylene glycol and wool fat.

The term “measurably inhibit”, as used herein means a measurable changein AKT or PDK1 activity between a sample comprising said composition andan AKT or PDK1 kinase and an equivalent sample comprising AKT or PDK1kinase in the absence of said composition.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means any non-toxic salt or salt ofan ester of a compound of this invention that, upon administration to arecipient, is capable of providing, either directly or indirectly, acompound of this invention or an inhibitorily active metabolite orresidue thereof. As used herein, the term “inhibitorily activemetabolite or residue thereof” means that a metabolite or residuethereof is also an inhibitor of an AKT or PDK1 family kinase.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this inventioninclude those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic andorganic acids and bases. Examples of suitable acid salts includeacetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate,bisulfate, butyrate, citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate,cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate,formate, fumarate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, glycolate,hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide,hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, malonate,methanesulfoniate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oxalate,palmoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate,pivalate, propionate, salicylate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate,thiocyanate, tosylate and undecanoate. Other acids, such as oxalic,while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed inthe preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining thecompounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acidaddition salts.

Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal (e.g., sodiumand potassium), alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium), ammonium andN⁺(C₁₋₄ alkyl)₄ salts. This invention also envisions the quaternizationof any basic nitrogen-containing groups of the compounds disclosedherein. Water or oil-soluble or dispersible products may be obtained bysuch quaternization.

The compositions of the present invention may be administered orally,parenterally, by inhalation spray, topically, rectally, nasally,buccally, vaginally or via an implanted reservoir. The term “parenteral”as used herein includes subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular,intra-articular, intra-synovial, intrastemal, intrathecal, intrahepatic,intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.Preferably, the compositions are administered orally, intraperitoneallyor intravenously. Sterile injectable forms of the compositions of thisinvention may be aqueous or oleaginous suspension. These suspensions maybe formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitabledispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterileinjectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution orsuspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent,for example as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptablevehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solutionand isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oilsare conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium.

For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed includingsynthetic mono- or di-glycerides. Fatty acids, such as oleic acid andits glyceride derivatives are useful in the preparation of injectables,as are natural pharmaceutically-acceptable oils, such as olive oil orcastor oil, especially in their polyoxyethylated versions. These oilsolutions or suspensions may also contain a long-chain alcohol diluentor dispersant, such as carboxymethyl cellulose or similar dispersingagents that are commonly used in the formulation of pharmaceuticallyacceptable dosage forms including emulsions and suspensions. Othercommonly used surfactants, such as Tweens, Spans and other emulsifyingagents or bioavailability enhancers which are commonly used in themanufacture of pharmaceutically acceptable solid, liquid, or otherdosage forms may also be used for the purposes of formulation.

The pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of this invention may beorally administered in any orally acceptable dosage form including, butnot limited to, capsules, tablets, aqueous suspensions or solutions. Inthe case of tablets for oral use, carriers commonly used include lactoseand corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, arealso typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form, usefuldiluents include lactose and dried cornstarch. When aqueous suspensionsare required for oral use, the active ingredient is combined withemulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening,flavoring or coloring agents may also be added.

Alternatively, the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of thisinvention may be administered in the form of suppositories for rectaladministration. These can be prepared by mixing the agent with asuitable non-irritating excipient that is solid at room temperature butliquid at rectal temperature and therefore will melt in the rectum torelease the drug. Such materials include cocoa butter, beeswax andpolyethylene glycols.

The pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of this invention may alsobe administered topically, especially when the target of treatmentincludes areas or organs readily accessible by topical application,including diseases of the eye, the skin, or the lower intestinal tract.Suitable topical formulations are readily prepared for each of theseareas or organs.

Topical application for the lower intestinal tract can be effected in arectal suppository formulation (see above) or in a suitable enemaformulation. Topically-transdermal patches may also be used.

For topical applications, the pharmaceutically acceptable compositionsmay be formulated in a suitable ointment containing the active componentsuspended or dissolved in one or more carriers. Carriers for topicaladministration of the compounds of this invention include, but are notlimited to, mineral oil, liquid petrolatum, white petrolatum, propyleneglycol, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax andwater. Alternatively, the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions canbe formulated in a suitable lotion or cream containing the activecomponents suspended or dissolved in one or more pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers. Suitable carriers include, but are not limited to,mineral oil, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax,cetearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol and water.

For ophthalmic use, the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions may beformulated as micronized suspensions in isotonic, pH adjusted sterilesaline, or, preferably, as solutions in isotonic, pH adjusted sterilesaline, either with or without a preservative such as benzylalkoniumchloride. Alternatively, for ophthalmic uses, the pharmaceuticallyacceptable compositions may be formulated in an ointment such aspetrolatum.

The pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of this invention may alsobe administered by nasal aerosol or inhalation. Such compositions areprepared according to techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceuticalformulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzylalcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhancebioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other conventional solubilizingor dispersing agents.

Most preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of thisinvention are formulated for oral administration.

The amount of the compounds of the present invention that may becombined with the carrier materials to produce a composition in a singledosage form will vary depending upon the host treated, the particularmode of administration. Preferably, the compositions should beformulated so that a dosage of between 0.01-100 mg/kg body weight/day ofthe inhibitor can be administered to a patient receiving thesecompositions.

It should also be understood that a specific dosage and treatmentregimen for any particular patient will depend upon a variety offactors, including the activity of the specific compound employed, theage, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration,rate of excretion, drug combination, and the judgment of the treatingphysician and the severity of the particular disease being treated. Theamount of a compound of the present invention in the composition willalso depend upon the particular compound in the composition.

Depending upon the particular condition, or disease, to be treated orprevented, additional therapeutic agents, which are normallyadministered to treat or prevent that condition, may also be present inthe compositions of this invention. As used herein, additionaltherapeutic agents that are normally administered to treat or prevent aparticular disease, or condition, are known as “appropriate for thedisease, or condition, being treated”.

For example, chemotherapeutic agents or other anti-proliferative agentsmay be combined with the compounds of this invention to treatproliferative diseases and cancer. Examples of known chemotherapeuticagents include, but are not limited to, Gleevec™, adriamycin,dexamethasone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, topotecan,taxol, interferons, and platinum derivatives.

Other examples of agents the inhibitors of this invention may also becombined with include, without limitation: treatments for Alzheimer'sDisease such as Aricept® and Excelon®; treatments for Parkinson'sDisease such as L-DOPA/carbidopa, entacapone, ropinrole, pramipexole,bromocriptine, pergolide, trihexephendyl, and amantadine; agents fortreating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) such as beta interferon (e.g., Avonex®and Rebif®), Copaxone®, and mitoxantrone; treatments for asthma such asalbuterol and Singulair®; agents for treating schizophrenia such aszyprexa, risperdal, seroquel, and haloperidol; anti-inflammatory agentssuch as corticosteroids, TNF blockers, IL-1 RA, azathioprine,cyclophosphamide, and sulfasalazine; immunomodulatory andimmunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporin, tacrolimus, rapamycin,mycophenolate mofetil, interferons, corticosteroids, cyclophophamide,azathioprine, and sulfasalazine; neurotrophic factors such asacetylcholinesterase inhibitors, MAO inhibitors, interferons,anti-convulsants, ion channel blockers, riluzole, and anti-Parkinsonianagents; agents for treating cardiovascular disease such asbeta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, nitrates, calcium channelblockers, and statins; agents for treating liver disease such ascorticosteroids, cholestyramine, interferons, and anti-viral agents;agents for treating blood disorders such as corticosteroids,anti-leukemic agents, and growth factors; and agents for treatingimmunodeficiency disorders such as gamma globulin.

The amount of additional therapeutic agent present in the compositionsof this invention will be no more than the amount that would normally beadministered in a composition comprising that therapeutic agent as theonly active agent. Preferably the amount of additional therapeutic agentin the presently disclosed compositions will range from about 50% to100% of the amount normally present in a composition comprising thatagent as the only therapeutically active agent.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a method ofinhibiting AKT kinase activity in a biological sample comprising thestep of contacting said biological sample with a compound of thisinvention, or a composition comprising said compound. Preferably, themethod comprises the step of contacting said biological sample with apreferred compound of the present invention, as described herein supra.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a method ofinhibiting PDK1 kinase activity in a biological sample comprising thestep of contacting said biological sample with a compound of thisinvention, or a composition comprising said compound. Preferably, themethod comprises the step of contacting said biological sample with apreferred compound of the present invention, as described herein supra.

The term “biological sample”, as used herein, includes, withoutlimitation, cell cultures or extracts thereof; biopsied materialobtained from a mammal or extracts thereof; and blood, saliva, urine,feces, semen, tears, or other body fluids or extracts thereof.

Inhibition of AKT or PDK1 kinase activity in a biological sample isuseful for a variety of purposes that are known to one of skill in theart. Examples of such purposes include, but are not limited to, bloodtransfusion, organ-transplantation, biological specimen storage, andbiological assays.

Another aspect of this invention relates to a method for treating anAKT-mediated disease in a patient, which method comprises administeringto a patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of acompound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptablecomposition comprising said compound. According to a preferredembodiment, the invention relates to administering a preferred compoundof formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprisingsaid compound.

Another aspect of this invention relates to a method for treating aPDK1-mediated disease in a patient, which method comprises administeringto a patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of acompound of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptablecomposition comprising said compound. According to a preferredembodiment, the invention relates to administering a preferred compoundof formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprisingsaid compound.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to amethod for treating an AKT- or PDK1-mediated disease in a patient, whichmethod comprises administering to a patient in need thereof, atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula II, III, IV,or V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising saidcompound. According to another embodiment, said method comprisesadministering to a patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effectiveamount of a preferred compound of formula II, III, IV, or V, asdescribed herein supra, or a pharmaceutically acceptable compositioncomprising said compound.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to amethod for treating an AKT- or PDK1-mediated disease in a patient, whichmethod comprises administering to a patient in need thereof, atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula IV or V, or apharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising said compound.According to another embodiment, said method comprises administering toa patient in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of apreferred compound of formula IV, or V, as described herein supra, or apharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising said compound.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a method fortreating or lessening the severity of an AKT-mediated disease orcondition in a patient comprising the step of administering to saidpatient a composition according to the present invention.

The term “AKT-mediated condition” or “disease”, as used herein, meansany disease or other deleterious condition in which AKT is known to playa role. The term “AKT-mediated condition” or “disease” also means thosediseases or conditions that are alleviated by treatment with an AKTinhibitor. AKT-mediated diseases or conditions include, but are notlimited to, proliferative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disorders,rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegenerative disorders. Preferably, saidcancer is selected from pancreatic, prostate, or ovarian cancer.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a method fortreating or lessening the severity of an PDK1-mediated disease orcondition in a patient comprising the step of administering to saidpatient a composition according to the present invention.

The term “PDK1-mediated condition” or “disease”, as used herein, meansany disease or other deleterious condition in which PDK1 is known toplay a role. The term “PDK1-mediated condition” or “disease” also meansthose diseases or conditions that are alleviated by treatment with aPDK1 inhibitor. PDK1-mediated diseases or conditions include, but arenot limited to, proliferative disorders, and cancer. Preferably, saidcancer is selected from brain (gliomas), breast, colon, head and neck,kidney, lung, liver, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, sarcoma,or thyroid.

According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to amethod for treating or lessening the severity of a disease or conditionselected from a proliferative disorder, a cardiac disorder, aninflammatory disorder, an autoimmune disorder, a viral disease, or abone disorder, wherein said method comprises the step of administeringan effective amount of a compound of the present invention. Preferably,said method comprises the step of administering an effective amount of apreferred compound of the present invention.

Preferably, the present invention relates to a method for treating orlessening the severity of a cancer.

More preferably, the present invention relates to a method for treatingor lessening the severity of a cancer selected from brain (gliomas),breast, colon, head and neck, kidney, lung, liver, melanoma, ovarian,pancreatic, prostate, sarcoma, or thyroid.

Most preferably, the present invention relates to a method for treatingor lessening the severity of pancreatic, prostate, or ovarian cancer.

In an alternate embodiment, the methods of this invention that utilizecompositions that do not contain an additional therapeutic agent,comprise the additional step of separately administering to said patientan additional therapeutic agent. When these additional therapeuticagents are administered separately they may be administered to thepatient prior to, sequentially with or following administration of thecompositions of this invention.

The compounds of this invention or pharmaceutical compositions thereofmay also be incorporated into compositions for coating an implantablemedical device, such as prostheses, artificial valves, vascular grafts,stents and catheters. Vascular stents, for example, have been used toovercome restenosis (re-narrowing of the vessel wall after injury).However, patients using stents or other implantable devices risk clotformation or platelet activation. These unwanted effects may beprevented or mitigated by pre-coating the device with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable composition comprising a compound of this invention. Suitablecoatings and the general preparation of coated implantable devices aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,099,562; 5,886,026; and 5,304,121. Thecoatings are typically biocompatible polymeric materials such as ahydrogel polymer, polymethyldisiloxane, polycaprolactone, polyethyleneglycol, polylactic acid, ethylene vinyl acetate, and mixtures thereof.The coatings may optionally be further covered by a suitable topcoat offluorosilicone, polysaccarides, polyethylene glycol, phospholipids orcombinations thereof to impart controlled release characteristics in thecomposition. Implantable devices coated with a compound of thisinvention are another embodiment of the present invention.

In order that the invention described herein may be more fullyunderstood, the following examples are set forth. It should beunderstood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only andare not to be construed as limiting this invention in any manner.

EXAMPLE 1 AKT-3 Inhibition Assay

Compounds are screened for their ability to inhibit AKT using a standardcoupled enzyme assay (Fox et al., Protein Sci., (1998) 7, 2249). Assaysare carried out in a mixture of 100 mM HEPES 7.5, 10 mM MgCl2, 25 mMNaCl, 1 mM DTT and 3% DMSO. Final substrate concentrations in the assayare 170 μM ATP (Sigma Chemicals) and 200 μM peptide. Assays are carriedout at 30° C. and 45 nM AKT. Final concentrations of the components ofthe coupled enzyme system are 2.5 mM phosphoenolpyruvate, 300 μM NADH,30 μg/ML pyruvate kinase and 10 μg/ml lactate dehydrogenase.

An assay stock buffer solution ias prepared containing all of thereagents listed above, with the exception of AKT, DTT, and the testcompound of interest. 55 μl of the stock solution is placed in a 96 wellplate followed by addition of 2 μl of 1 mM DMSO stock containing thetest compound (final compound concentration 30 μM). The plate ispre-incubated for about 10 minutes at 30° C. and the reaction initiatedby addition of 10 μl of enzyme (final concentration 45 nM) and 1 mM DTT.Rates of reaction are obtained using a Molecular Devices SpectraMax Plusplate reader over a 15 minute read time at 30° C. Compounds showinggreater than 50% inhibition versus standard wells containing the assaymixture and DMSO without test compound are titrated to determine IC₅₀values.

EXAMPLE 2 PDK-1 Inhibition Assay

Compounds are screened for their ability to inhibit PDK-1 using aradioactive-phosphate incorporation assay (Pitt and Lee, J. Biomol.Screen., (1996) 1, 47). Assays are carried out in a mixture of 100 mMHEPES (pH 7.5), 10 mM MgCl₂, 25 mM NaCl , 2 mM DTT. Final substrateconcentrations in the assay are 40 μM ATP (Sigma Chemicals) and 65 μMpeptide (PDKtide, Upstate, Lake Placid, N.Y.). Assays are carried out at30° C. and 25 nM PDK-1 in the presence of ˜27.5 nCl/μL of [γ-³²P]ATP(Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Amersham, UK). An assay stock buffersolution is prepared containing all of the reagents listed above, withthe exception of ATP, and the test compound of interest. 15 μl of thestock solution is placed in a 96 well plate followed by addition of 1 μlof 0.5 mM DMSO stock containing the test compound (final compoundconcentration 25 μM, final DMSO concentration 5%). The plate ispreincubated for about 10 minutes at 30° C. and the reaction initiatedby addition of 4 μl ATP (final concentration 40 μM).

The reaction is stopped after 10 minutes by the addition of 100 μL 100mM phosphoric acid, 0.01% Tween-20. A phosphocellulose 96 well plate(Millipore, Cat no. MAPHNOB50) is pretreated with 100 μL 100 mMphosphoric acid, 0.01% Tween-20 prior to the addition of the reactionmixture (100 μL). The spots are left to soak for at least 5 minutes,prior to wash steps (4×200 μL 100 mM phosphoric acid, 0.01% Tween-20).After drying, 20 μL Optiphase ‘SuperMix’ liquid scintillation cocktail(Perkin Elmer) is added to the well prior to scintillation counting(1450 Microbeta Liquid Scintillation Counter, Wallac).

Compounds showing greater than 50% inhibition versus standard wellscontaining the assay mixture and DMSO without test compound are titratedto determine IC₅₀ values.

The entire disclosure of all documents cited herein are incorporatedherein by reference.

While we have described a number of embodiments of this invention, it isapparent that our basic examples may be altered to provide otherembodiments which utilize the compounds and methods of this invention.Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is tobe defined by the appended claims rather than by the specificembodiments which have been represented by way of example.

1. A method of inhibiting AKT or PDK1 protein kinase in: (a) a patient;or (b) a biological sample; which method comprises administering to saidpatient, or contacting said biological sample with, a compound offormula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) are independentlyhydrogen, an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, orR^(a) and R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; B is A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein: R^(c) and R^(d) are independentlyhydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic, or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are takentogether to form a cyclopropyl ring; R′ is T-Ar; each T is independentlyselected from a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up totwo methylene units of T are optionally, and independently, replaced by—O—, —N(R)—, —S—, —N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—; each R isindependently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic group, or: two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken togetherwith the nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having 1-3 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; Q is a valencebond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up to two methylene units of Qare optionally, and independently, replaced by —O—, —N(R)—, —S—,—N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—,or —SO₂—; R² is selected from Ar, R³, orC(R)(Ar)R³, wherein: R and R³ optionally form a 5-7 membered saturatedor partially unsaturated ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independentlyselected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each Ar is independently anoptionally substituted ring selected from a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, oran 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedbicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each R³ is independently selected from R′,Ar¹, W—OR⁵, W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵, W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂,N(R)(W—Ar), N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, or N(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein: each W isindependently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain; R′ is anoptionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; each Ar¹ is independentlyselected from an optionally substituted 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;each R⁴ is independently selected from R, COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R⁵)₂, SO₂R⁵,SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹; and each R⁵ is independently selected from R or Ar.2. The method according to claim 1, wherein R is —C(R)(Ar)R³.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: T is selected from avalence bond, or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain wherein up to two methyleneunits of T are optionally, and independently, replaced by —O—, —S—,—C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—.
 4. The method according to claim 1 orclaim 2, wherein: T is selected from a valence bond, or a C₁₋₆alkylidene chain wherein up to one methylene unit of T is optionallyreplaced by —N(R)—, —N(R)C(O)—, —N(R)C(O)N(R)—, —N(R)SO₂—, or—N(R)SO₂N(R)—.
 5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, whereinR³ is —W—OR⁵ or —W—N(R⁴)₂.
 6. A method of inhibiting AKT or PDK1 proteinkinase in: (a) a patient; or (b) a biological sample; which methodcomprises administering to said patient, or contacting said biologicalsample with, a compound of formula II:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) are independentlyhydrogen, an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, orR^(a) and R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; B is A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein: R^(c) and R^(d) are independentlyhydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic, or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are takentogether to form a cyclopropyl ring; R′ is T′-Ar; T′ is —N(R)—,—N(R)C(O)—, —N(R)C(O)NH—, —N(R)CH₂—,or —N(R)SO₂—; each R isindependently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic group, or: two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken togetherwith the nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having 1-3 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; Q is a valencebond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up to two methylene units of Qare optionally, and independently, replaced by —O—, —N(R)—, —S—,—N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—; R² is selected from Ar, R³, orC(R)(Ar)R³, wherein: R and R³ optionally form a 5-7 membered saturatedor partially unsaturated ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independentlyselected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each Ar is independently anoptionally substituted ring selected from a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, oran 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedbicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each R³ is independently selected from R′,Ar¹, W—OR⁵, W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵, W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂,N(R)(W—Ar), N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, or N(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein: each W isindependently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain; R′ is anoptionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; each Ar¹ is independentlyselected from an optionally substituted 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;each R⁴ is independently selected from R, COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R⁵)₂, SO₂R⁵,SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹; and each R⁵ is independently selected from R or Ar.7. A method of inhibiting AKT or PDK1 protein kinase in: (a) a patient;or (b) a biological sample; which method comprises administering to saidpatient, or contacting said biological sample with, a compound offormula III:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) are independentlyhydrogen, an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, orR^(a) and R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; B is A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein: R^(c) and R^(d) are independentlyhydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic, or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are takentogether to form a cyclopropyl ring; R¹ is T-Ar; each T is independentlyselected from a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up totwo methylene units of T are optionally, and independently, replaced by—O—, —N(R)—, —S—, —N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—; each R isindependently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic group, or: two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken togetherwith the nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having 1-3 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each Ar isindependently an optionally substituted ring selected from a 5-7membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedmonocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-10 membered saturated, partiallyunsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each R³ isindependently selected from R′, Ar¹, W—OR⁵, W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵,W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂, N(R)(W—Ar), N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, orN(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein: each W is independently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆alkylidene chain; R′ is an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group;each Ar¹ is independently selected from an optionally substituted 5-7membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedmonocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each R⁴ is independently selected from R,COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R⁵)₂, SO₂R⁵, SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹ ; and each R⁵ isindependently selected from R or Ar.
 8. A method of inhibiting AKT orPDK1 protein kinase in: (a) a patient; or (b) a biological sample; whichmethod comprises administering to said patient, or contacting saidbiological sample with, a compound of formula IV:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein said compound is of formula V:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein said compound is selected from the group consistingof:


11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is selectedfrom the group consisting of:


12. A compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) are independentlyhydrogen, an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, orR^(a) and R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; B is A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein: R^(c) and R^(d) are independentlyhydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic, or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are takentogether to form a cyclopropyl ring; R¹ is T-Ar; each T is independentlyselected from a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up totwo methylene units of T are optionally, and independently, replaced by—O—, —N(R)—, —S—, —N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—; each R isindependently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic group, or: two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken togetherwith the nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having 1-3 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; Q is a valencebond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up to two methylene units of Qare optionally, and independently, replaced by —O—, —N(R)—, —S—,—N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—,or —SO₂—; R² is selected from Ar, R³, orC(R)(Ar)R³, wherein: R and R³ optionally form a 5-7 membered saturatedor partially unsaturated ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independentlyselected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each Ar is independently anoptionally substituted ring selected from a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, oran 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedbicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each R³ is independently selected from R′,Ar¹, W—OR⁵, W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵, W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂,N(R)(W—Ar), N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, or N(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein: each W isindependently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain; R′ is anoptionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; each Ar¹ is independentlyselected from an optionally substituted 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;each R⁴ is independently selected from R, COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R⁵)₂, SO₂R⁵,SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹; and each R⁵ is independently selected from R or Ar;provided that: when one of A or B is —CH₂ and the other of A or B is—CH₂CH₂—, R¹ is T-Ar, T is a valence bond, Ar is a 5-7 memberedsaturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ringhaving 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, orsulfur, and Q is a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain wherein the methylene unitattached to the nitrogen atom is repaced by C(O), then R² is other thanoptionally substituted phenyl; and when T is —NH—, —NHC(O)—, or—NHC(O)N(R)—, then R² is W—C(R)(W—Ar)R³.
 13. The method according toclaim 12, wherein R² is —C(R)(Ar)R³.
 14. The compound according to claim12 or claim 13, wherein: T is selected from a valence bond, or a C₁₋₆alkylidene chain wherein up to two methylene units of T are optionally,and independently, replaced by —O—, —S—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—.15. The compound according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein: T isselected from a valence bond, or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain wherein up toone methylene unit of T is optionally replaced by —N(R)—, —N(R)C(O)—,—N(R)C(O)N(R)—, —N(R)SO₂—, or —N(R)SO₂N(R)—.
 16. The method according toany one of claims 12-15, wherein R³ is —W—OR⁵ or —W—N(R⁴)₂.
 17. Thecompound according to claim 12, wherein said compound has the formulaII:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) are independentlyhydrogen, an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, orR^(a) and R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; B is A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein: R^(c) and R^(d) are independentlyhydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic, or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are takentogether to form a cyclopropyl ring; R¹ is T′-Ar; T′ is —N(R′)—,—N(R′)C(O)—, —N(R′)C(O)NH—, —N(R′)CH₂—, or —N(R′)SO₂—; each R isindependently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic group, or: two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken togetherwith the nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having 1-3 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; Q is a valencebond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up to two methylene units of Qare optionally, and independently, replaced by —O—, —N(R)—, —S—,—N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—; R² is selected from Ar, R³, orC(R)(Ar)R³, wherein: R and R³ optionally form a 5-7 membered saturatedor partially unsaturated ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independentlyselected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each Ar is independently anoptionally substituted ring selected from a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, oran 8-10 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedbicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each R³ is independently selected from R′,Ar¹, W—OR⁵, W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵, W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂,N(R)(W—Ar), N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, or N(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein: each W isindependently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain; R′ is anoptionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; each Ar¹ is independentlyselected from an optionally substituted 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-4heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;each R⁴ is independently selected from R, COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R⁵)₂, SO₂R⁵,SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹; and each R⁵ is independently selected from R or Ar.18. The compound according to claim 12, wherein said compound has theformula III:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(a))(R^(b))—, wherein: R^(a) and R^(b) are independentlyhydrogen, an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, or halogen, orR^(a) and R^(b) are taken together to form a 3-6 membered saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; B is A is —CH₂— or—CH₂C(R^(c))(R^(d))—, wherein: R^(c) and R^(d) are independentlyhydrogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic, or halogen, or R^(c) and R^(d) are takentogether to form a cyclopropyl ring; R¹ is T-Ar; each T is independentlyselected from a valence bond or a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain, wherein up totwo methylene units of T are optionally, and independently, replaced by—O—, —N(R)—, —S—, —N(R)C(O)—, —C(O)N(R)—, —C(O)—, or —SO₂—; each R isindependently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆aliphatic group, or: two R groups on the same nitrogen, taken togetherwith the nitrogen atom attached thereto, form a 5-7 membered saturated,partially unsaturated, or aromatic ring having 1-3 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each Ar isindependently an optionally substituted ring selected from a 5-7membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedmonocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-10 membered saturated, partiallyunsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatomsindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each R³ isindependently selected from R′, Ar¹, W—OR⁵, W—OC(O)R⁵, W—CONHR⁵,W—OC(O)NHR⁵, W—SR⁵, W—N(R⁴)₂, N(R)(W—Ar), N(R)C(O)W—N(R⁴)₂, orN(R)W—N(R⁴)₂, wherein: each W is independently a valence bond or a C₁₋₆alkylidene chain; R′ is an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group;each Ar¹ is independently selected from an optionally substituted 5-7membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturatedmonocyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; each R⁴ is independently selected from R,COR⁵, CO₂R⁵, CON(R⁵)₂, SO₂R⁵, SO₂N(R⁵)₂, or Ar¹; and each R⁵ isindependently selected from R or Ar.
 19. The compound according to claim12, wherein said compound is of formula IV:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 20. The compoundaccording to claim 12, wherein said compound is of formula V:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 21. The compoundaccording to claim 12, wherein said compound is selected from the groupconsisting of:


22. The compound according to claim 11, wherein said compound isselected from the group consisting of:


23. The compound according to claim 11, wherein said compound isselected from the group consisting of:


24. The method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is selectedfrom the group consisting of:


25. A composition comprising a compound according to any one of claims12-24, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle.26. The composition according to claim 25, additionally comprising atherapeutic agent selected from an anti-proliferative agent, ananti-inflammatory agent, an immunomodulatory agent, a neurotrophicfactor, an agent for treating cardiovascular disease, an agent fortreating liver disease, an anti-viral agent, an agent for treating blooddisorders, an agent for treating diabetes, or an agent for treatingimmunodeficiency disorders.
 27. A method of inhibiting AKT kinaseactivity in a biological sample comprising the step of contacting saidbiological sample with: a) a compound according to any one of claims12-24; or b) a composition according to claim 25 or claim
 26. 28. Amethod of inhibiting PDK1 kinase activity in a biological samplecomprising the step of contacting said biological sample with: a) acompound according to any one of claims 12-24; or b) a compositionaccording to claim 25 or claim
 26. 29. A method of treating or lesseningthe severity of a disease or condition selected from a proliferativedisorder, a cardiac disorder, an inflammatory disorder, an autoimmunedisorder, a neurodegenerative disorder, a viral disease, or a bonedisorder, wherein said method comprises the step of administering aneffective amount a compound according to any one of claims 12-24; or acomposition according to claim 25 or claim
 26. 30. The method accordingto claim 29, wherein said disease or condition is selected from cancer.31. The method according to claim 30, wherein said cancer is selectedfrom brain (gliomas), breast, colon, head and neck, kidney, lung, liver,melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, sarcoma, or thyroid.
 32. Themethod according to claim 31, wherein said cancer is selected frompancreatic, prostate, or ovarian.
 33. The method according to claim 32,comprising the additional step of administering to said patient anadditional therapeutic agent selected from an anti-proliferative agent,an anti-inflammatory agent, an immunomodulatory agent, a neurotrophicfactor, an agent for treating cardiovascular disease, an agent fortreating liver disease, an anti-viral agent, an agent for treating blooddisorders, an agent for treating diabetes, or an agent for treatingimmunodeficiency disorders, wherein: said additional therapeutic agentis appropriate for the disease being treated; and said additionaltherapeutic agent is administered together with said composition as asingle dosage form or separately from said composition as part of amultiple dosage form.
 34. The method according to claim 33, wherein saidadditional therapeutic agent is an anti-proliferative agent.